Tribal Historic Preservation Office

The Tribal Historic Preservation Office (THPO) is funded by a grant through the National Park Service Program. The grant allows the tribe to assume certain functions of the state historic preservation officer on the tribe's trust lands. The Tribal Historic Preservation Office's primary responsibilities include:

Ensuring compliance with Section 106 (S 106)of the National Historic Preservation Act, (NHPA). All federal agencies must consider the effects of their actions on historic properties, which includes properties that may have religious, cultural, or historic significance to Indian tribes. The THPO office reviews all federal undertakings that occur within the tribe's current jurisdiction and within the areas the Quapaw Tribe had a historic presence.

Ensuring compliance involves receiving, logging, and reviewing notices provided to the Tribe pursuant to S 106, to monitor federal undertakings that might have an effect on properties of significance to the Quapaw Tribe. This includes requesting additional information about federal undertakings when needed, and taking the appropriate steps to protect the cultural and historic resources of the Quapaw Tribe as outlined in the NHPA.

A federal undertaking is "a project, activity, or program funded in whole or in part under the direct or indirect jurisdiction of a Federal agency, including those carried out by or on behalf of a Federal agency; those carried out with Federal financial assistance; those requiring a Federal permit, license or approval; and those subject to State or local regulation administered pursuant to a delegation or approval by a Federal agency". -36 CFR 800.16(y))

a historic property is "any prehistoric or historic district, site, building, structure, or object included in, or eligible for inclusion on the National Register" this also includes artifacts, records and remains related to a property. -16 U.S.C. Section 470(w)(5). Many important sites to the Quapaw Tribe meet this standard of being eligible for inclusion as they are rooted in the history of the Quapaw Tribe and are important in maintaining the continuing cultural identity of the community.

Surveying sites and maintaining an inventory of historic and culturally significant properties to the Quapaw Tribe known as a Historic Preservation Geographic Information System (GIS) database.

Producing periodic reports the National Park Service pursuant to our grant, reports to the Quapaw Tribe provided in the general council book, and reports to the Quapaw Tribe Business Committee.

Consultation with federal agencies, which consists of meetings between tribes and federal agencies to discuss federal undertakings, as necessary.

Preservation education, which can include working with local, federal, and state agencies to help them preserve a historic property, especially when special considerations or information is needed to help preserve this property.

Other responsibilities of the THPO when needed and able include:

Advising and assisting local, state, and federal agencies in carrying out their historic preservation responsibilities.